Back in 2017, the World Health Organisation declared that the UK had eliminated measles. However, that elimination status was withdrawn last month amid a rising number of cases.
Today - in response to newly published statistics on childhood immunisations - the Scottish government has confirmed that rates of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination are “high” and there is “no evidence of significant transmission of measles in Scotland among infants or children in primary or secondary school”.
In total, 97 per cent of children who reached the age of 5 in the quarter ending June 2019 had received their first dose of MMR vaccine, figures published today show. And 93.4 per cent had the second dose of MMR vaccine by the age of 6.
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In Scotland, a target of 95 per cent uptake of one dose of the (MMR) vaccine by 5 years of age was introduced in 2006 to focus efforts on reducing the number of susceptible children entering primary school. Uptake rates of one dose of MMR by 5 years have remained above the 95 per cent target since 2009.
In the first six months of this year, there were 10 confirmed cases and one epidemiologically linked case of measles reported, according to Health Protection Scotland.
Public health minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “Uptake rates of the MMR vaccine are high in Scotland - we have continued to exceed the 95 per cent target and there is no evidence of significant transmission of measles in Scotland among infants or children in primary or secondary school.
“This reflects both the hard work and commitment of those working in the NHS and the recognition of the benefits of vaccination.
“However, we are not complacent and will continue to make every effort to promote and encourage childhood vaccinations.”
In England making entry to school contingent upon having the MMR vaccine has been considered. However, the move has been rejected by prime minister Boris Johnson, who has said he wants to focus on improving vaccination rates and crack down on misleading information about the dangers of vaccines on social media.
The World Health Organisation has said misinformation about vaccines, particularly that shared on social media, is as contagious and dangerous as the diseases it helps to spread.
